Shaleen Bhanot, who has been accused of mentally and physically torturing his wife Dalljiet Kaur, speaks at length about what made him stay quiet when fingers were being pointed towards him

Shaleen Bhanot, who was last seen as the chief antagonist Duryodhana in Suryaputra Karn, is back on screen playing the role of Mahaa Singh, Life OK’s magnum opus Maharana Ranjit Singh. Shaleen is excited to play a positive role and SpotboyE.com caught up with the actor in Delhi at the show launch.Excerpts:

Are you pushing yourself too hard professionally to pull yourself out from the personal mess?I don’t think so. People have judged me. I have been judged left, right and centre... so much so that I thought people will never like me again. I used to feel when I haven’t done anything wrong, why will people hate me? But anyway, the moment I came out clean, I saw myself on a different journey.

My character Duryodhan in Suryaputra Karn was the most loved and talked about role. The moment I got a clean chit, I got three show offers and I selected Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Image Source: instagram/shaleenbhanotHas it been painful for you after being tagged as a wife beater...?

I have learnt that when you speak, people only hear you to know your perception and not the truth. It’s like two politicians saying their side of the story. I didn’t feel like going that route. I wanted the truth to come out and I didn’t want to speak at all before that. As an individual, I love my mom, sister and also Dalljiet. I have respected her. And how can I say anything wrong about the woman who is the mother of my kid?

Image Source: instagram/kaurdalljiet

But Dalljiet have time and again accused you, why didn’t you speak up?

I was hurt. When people start seeing you from a different vision, it does disturb you. I have travelled a long way...from Jabalpur to Mumbai...to entertain people. I never thought that I would fall in love, get married and become a father. And neither did I think that my family would have to go through all this and hear so many wrong things about themselves. That’s the last thing a son would want his parents to go through. I desperately wanted my son to be in a happy zone and for that it was very important that I don’t initiate any fight. I tried to resolve things rather than complicate it. I am a pro-woman person. I would never fight with a lady.

Did you speak to her when she was accusing you of domestic violence?Yes, I did! We had lot of conversations when she accused me. But it’s her choice. You can’t and shouldn’t control any person. Everybody has the free will and freedom to do whatever they want to.

Did you feel let down when she was accusing you?No, I didn’t. I respect everybody’s decision. Everybody has their own choice and can share their opinion. Who am I to judge anybody? We have a Constitution to judge. They have judged and given me a clean chit. I am back again!

Image Source: instagram/shaleenbhanotReports suggested that you had paid money to settle the matter...

There is nothing like that. I have heard many stories about myself. Today, I fear going out for coffee or be seen with my manager, who is a lady and also a mother. You never know when people starting cooking up stories. I have also stopped going out with my female friends.

Does your son judge you?No way! He loves me! The only thing which has changed is the way he tells me Daddy. Earlier he used to call me Dada, now he calls me daddy. I miss that kid language. He comes running to meet me. I have missed that one-and-half year of not meeting him every day. But I look forward to play with him and feed him whenever I get time.

How are things with Dalljiet?Very good. I have always been cordial with her. I never had any problem with her. She is very sweet and bringing up Jaydon well.

Have you signed Maharaja Ranjit Singh, which is a very pious and positive character, to portray clean image on screen?Had I been given the choice, I would have played Mahatma Gandhi. Mujhe babaji banne ka bahut shauk hai. I want to do those morning shows. There is good money.